New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-02
THE THEATRES.
GOSSIP OF THE WEEK.

night this week, even when the weather was bad
enough to render theatre going almost penance, the
house has been crowded and the piece goes with "a
much mcrrment though it the widest OF
farcical comedies. That it must be taken off In the
height of its would perhaps be regretted by all
oil US were we not so sure OF the success of Mir.
Towards new comedy, Met by Chance Everything
that II La possible for manager to do has been done
for Mr.. Towards play. The cast, which has been Sc
ected with the greatest of care ia carefully rehearsed
and everything. think, will now depend upon the
play itself The plot can be summed up in few
words The action takes place chiefly in the Adiron
dack woods though there is also scene at lrvngton
on-thc- Hudson. Stella yandyke' and Hope Ruther-
ford are two American girls who In tho first act are
found nearly engaged to Charlie Hartwell' and tic
Earl of Claiborne While caught in storm the girls
are taken care of by DIR. Lee and one Edward
Talford,' whom they meet by chance. The old loves
are forsaken and it then turns out that the Earl ia
NOT Earl at all but that he has usurped tho title of
'Taliord' Hn'twc' tails in love with another
cousin of the girls and all is happily arranged. Thus
you will that there is for sensationalism or
anything but pure comedy The story is interesting
the treatment of it delicutely humorous and II II Goes
not please shall all feel terribly mortified"
"Ireav have not much that is o tell you said
A. NJ. Palmer Yesterday. " Our play here is running
with such monotony Of crowded houses that it leaves
remarkably little room for comment or gossip. There
H. think, nothing surprising in 1t, but 1t affords any
one who wants preach against the prevalent lack OF
faith in the vitality OF the drama strong text from
which to expound. 1t bears out what have said time
and time again, that what want is not actors, or
keener interest the part of the public, but good
strong interesting plays In jim the Penman, fortu-
| natey tor me. the public find something they want
and they crowd to 1t accordingly, and hear no
I IL Al. Al tha
other to for empty benches so It always will
be- Give the people what they want and they VIII
to see 1t whatever the price of your seats may be-
LooIng at the matter rather broadly, it has
served emphasize IN my mind the conviction that
passing through n barren season rs regards
the output OF dramatic literature The few practised
English and French play-writers building with old
material. Their workmanship may be sound ana
honest, but there is nothing striking in the result
This TO look with the interest on our
own country possible mine from which the coming
droma'lst may be dcved may frankly say that do
not think he has been found yet, but like all my
brethren who in reoeip OF two or three manuscripts
q day. 90 pei cent OF which worthless utterly.
have hopes Work has lately been done in America by
American writers which think would not have been
possible ten or five years ago. The authors
matnecs | started at this theatre will think
awaken interest in native dramatis If they do no
more. On January IL shall offer for the appreciation
OF the public Brander Matthcws's comedy OF Mar
orics Lovers II has been carefully rehearSed and Is
indeed even ready tor presentation. but | am so
busy preparing tor n short season of Saints aud
Sinners at the Grand Opera House that have been
Obliged to posi- poue Mr.. Maithewss play. have. By
the way. disposed OF the rights OF SAINTS ana Nnher.
under certain CONDITIONS 10 Cedric Hope. VINO VIII
take it through the country with AN excellent company
including Charles Couldock. Tho production nj the
| ire
their last opportunity tor some time OF seeing tho
majority OF the original east Cedric Hope. to whom
Mr. Palmer referred. II yoang actor VINO enjoys a
fair measure OF financial backing from his iaily no
may be remembered having produced Engaged
at the Star Theatre last season with not extraor-
binary amount OF success.
Uulcss something unforeseen happens Tangled
Lives will remain ut The Fifth Avenue Theatre until
the arrival Of the Ions delayed Gilbert and sullivan
opera. Mr.. PiioI hs arranged his dates that in
that event be- vii 30 able to take Mr. ManteIl 10
Chicago and other irgc cities, and finish the season
having played only ia the more important cities
Mr.. Pitou said yesterday That oysry performance OF
lnst week had snown decided increase in the
receipts over those of the week before. While talk
inr of Mr. Mantcll Mr. Pton mentioned n rather note
worthy fact IL used 10 be the fashion. SAID he
Tor reading to allow the impression TO get
abroad that they Wete btsiegcd with letters IRON
unknown admirers OF a most alectOnac descur ton
" neither this made them more popular with the cm
nine nortion of their audiences do not know | wac
talking of thl- one day Mnntcll and surprised
a the vehement manner in which hc took 1t mp lie
u.s. | think remarkably good-looking young man.
aud the stage looks particularly attractive Well
he told me that his experience differed entirely from
that popularity supposed 20 lie the lot OF handsome
leading actors. Beyond courteous requests for auto
graphs and forth ne Sad ne had not as lar aS ne
| could remember received letter from an nm
known admirer certainly never one OF n foolish
description asking tor q meeting or any nonsense ii
that sort. IIo added that hs opinion OF women
much too high for him 10 suppose that they were
accustomed to act in such an unwomanly manner"
Edmund X Collier il nephew of the wclknown
j. W Collier formerly manager of the Union Square
Theatre and before that though the precise number OF
years need not 10 specified, one Of EdSn Forests
leading men. Edmund Collier has during the present
season been starring and has naturally enough as the
| nephew of his unoc chosen line OF parts made
famous by the great Forrest. lie began his season
with II weeks engagement at the Peoples Theatre IN
the tall ana mas since then been playing In the prnc
nal cities of the country The local manager here has
! beer making arrangements for another engagement
and Mr. Collier will he sren tomorrow night ~ the
Peoples Theatre He has chosen rs tho initial piece
of lis engagement Mctamora" and this will be
! presented under specially favorable circumstances
William +. Cody, otherwise Hutfa" blll. IA an old
friend of James W. Collier and takes friendly IN
tcrest in the Young tragedian his nephew. lie has
accordingly rendered il possible tor Edmund Collier to
secure the scry ces of band Sioux and Pawnces
| who will mpersonatr the savage warriors who obey
the behrsts of Mctamora." They Will indulge III ono
OF heir pleasant little scalp dances and III other ways
will add to the play "A realistic iuvOr. On Wednesday
! afternoon Mr. Cody and the remainder OF the braves
well as the c1wt oys and other component parts OF
! the " Wild West" will attend the theatre in a BODY
| to witness the performance. | have never heard,
! said Mr.. Collier yesterday OF Metamora beng
performed with the distance OF real live Indians. but
have an idea that they will add Legitimate interest
! to the performance
| The elder Collier who standing near, was
| moved TO deliver himself Of Forrest aneodoto We
playing in Troy once said he, and the char
pctcr OF the Indian traitor who betrays Meamora'
was taken by the local promptcr. Inc character Is
not speaking ono aud 1t was thought th-t he could
successfully graz plo with it as he was only on the
stage for a few minutes. Well. he got through with
| credit until Metomora was told who had led HIM